Heroes honored for fighting elder abuse

Velma Shivers gets a hug from Kathleen Weidner after receiving her award for her work in preventing elder abuse at 2013 HeroFest. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Professor Kerry Burnight, smiles as she delivers a certificate of recognition to Grayen Price, an ombudsman from Newport Beach. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Jenny Nghe, a care coordinator for LPS, and Dawn Hayes, an ombudsman, clap after award-winning artistKristen Commodore performs during the luncheon. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Kerry Burnight, a professor of geriactic medicine and gerontology at UCI, applauds local professionals and community members for their contributions in preventing elder abuse. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Grayen Price, an ombudsman, accepts an award for her involvement in the community at 2013 HeroFest in Santa Ana. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Donna Garza, right, a senior social worker at Adult Protective Services, accepts a certificate of recognition for her work in the community from Stacey Lindberg. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Three UC Irvine affiliated organizations joined together Oct. 29 to honor more than 100 social workers, law enforcement officers, district attorney officials, and ombudsmen for their efforts to stop and prevent elder abuse in Orange County.

Hosted by Ageless Alliance, Elder Abuse Forensic Center and Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect, the HeroFest 2013 event in Santa Ana included a luncheon and musical entertainment from recording artist Kristen Commodore.

“A lot of these people are going into dangerous situations (and) some of the most emotionally charged situations you could imagine,” said Dr. Laura Mosqueda, UC Irvine associate dean of primary care and founder of Elder Abuse Forensic Center. “I think it’s important to acknowledge these folks.”

“The only way you can address elder abuse is with a team,” said Kerry Burnight, UC Irvine professor of geriatric medicine and director of Elder Abuse Forensic Center. “We all work together and it only works when we’re together. Nobody can do it alone.”

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